We’ve taken a look at the big brands that once dominated Coventry city centre – from BHS and Ikea to Owen Owen

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07:00, 4 APR 2026

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As we relax over the bank holiday weekend we’ve decided to take a look at the lost shops of Coventry here in nostalgia.

Bank holiday weekends are traditionally a time for shopping, as people have time to maybe treat themselves to a new spring wardrobe, look for items to freshen up the house or even plan for a holiday.

But the way we shop has changed immensely over the years, with large city centre department stores giving way to out of town shopping centres and the convenience of internet shopping, with items delivered to your door at the touch of a button.

In Coventry, like many other cities, we’ve seen this with the decline of big national names such as Ikea, Debenham’s and BHS, all featured in our gallery here.

We’ve also included Coventry brands Owen Owen and Charles Ager in our lost shops roundup, as many people will have memories of these stores.

Take a look through our gallery below and don’t forget to share your memories in the comments.

You can view more nostalgia content here.

First night of Late night shopping in Coventry City Centre.Vicky Barlow1 of 19Share

First night of Late night shopping in Coventry City Centre.Vicky Barlow

First night of Late night shopping in Coventry City Centre.2 of 19Share

First night of Late night shopping in Coventry City Centre.

Carole Smith, aged 70 is finishing working full time at Coventry’s well known shoe shop Charles Ager after 56 years with the company. She bagen working there when she was 14 years old.3 of 19Share

Carole Smith, aged 70 is finishing working full time at Coventry’s well known shoe shop Charles Ager after 56 years with the company. She bagen working there when she was 14 years old.

All is safely gathered in… Staff at Own Owen, Broadgate, Coventry, singing hymns before the store opened. It is the second year running that a harvest service has been held at the store. This year, the Coventry Cathedral choirboys sang at the service. Staff brought produce which was later distributed to the elderly in the city. Perishable goods were being given to pensioners who had worked at Owen Owen, at their monthly tea party today. The Rev. Denis Claringbull, the industrial chaplain, and the Rev. Nigel Abbott, Vicar of Holy Trinity Chruch, conducted the service.8th October 19744 of 19Share

All is safely gathered in… Staff at Own Owen, Broadgate, Coventry, singing hymns before the store opened. It is the second year running that a harvest service has been held at the store. This year, the Coventry Cathedral choirboys sang at the service. Staff brought produce which was later distributed to the elderly in the city. Perishable goods were being given to pensioners who had worked at Owen Owen, at their monthly tea party today. The Rev. Denis Claringbull, the industrial chaplain, and the Rev. Nigel Abbott, Vicar of Holy Trinity Chruch, conducted the service.8th October 1974

MR071207IKEA_17.jpgMark RadfordIkea store, Coventry. Daryl Bryson (childrens section)5 of 19Share

MR071207IKEA_17.jpgMark RadfordIkea store, Coventry. Daryl Bryson (childrens section)

MR071207IKEA_16.jpgMark RadfordIkea store, Coventry. Just a few of the staff, ltor Laura Gillon (living rooms), Alan Cleaver (lighting), Chris Darling (bedrooms), Joshua Gilroy (risk team), Paul Abbott (health and safety specialist), Ian Darrock (self serve), Janette Popplewell (textiles), David Stevenson (self service), Daryl Bryson (childrens section), Carla Hyland (restaurant)6 of 19Share

MR071207IKEA_16.jpgMark RadfordIkea store, Coventry. Just a few of the staff, ltor Laura Gillon (living rooms), Alan Cleaver (lighting), Chris Darling (bedrooms), Joshua Gilroy (risk team), Paul Abbott (health and safety specialist), Ian Darrock (self serve), Janette Popplewell (textiles), David Stevenson (self service), Daryl Bryson (childrens section), Carla Hyland (restaurant)

RN280208IKEA_1.JPGIKEA, COVENTRY CITY CENTRE.7 of 19Share

RN280208IKEA_1.JPGIKEA, COVENTRY CITY CENTRE.

Christmas shopping at Owen Owen department in Coventry. Gift packs of toiletries and perfumes are always popular. 9th November 19858 of 19Share

Christmas shopping at Owen Owen department in Coventry. Gift packs of toiletries and perfumes are always popular. 9th November 1985

MR221207SALE_1.jpgMark RadfordCoventry City Centre, shopping vox pop and general views. Picture shows sale sign in Debenhams9 of 19Share

MR221207SALE_1.jpgMark RadfordCoventry City Centre, shopping vox pop and general views. Picture shows sale sign in Debenhams

JB140407CHAN_5.JPG*JAMES BALFOUR*Coventry city centre.Feature on high street stores’ changing rooms.Ali McGarry outside Debenhams.Reporter: Karen Hambridge.10 of 19Share

JB140407CHAN_5.JPG*JAMES BALFOUR*Coventry city centre.Feature on high street stores’ changing rooms.Ali McGarry outside Debenhams.Reporter: Karen Hambridge.

RN161207IKEA_5.JPGNEW IKEA STORE OFFICIAL OPENING.STAFF GET READY FOR THE OPENING AMY HAS WORDS11 of 19Share

RN161207IKEA_5.JPGNEW IKEA STORE OFFICIAL OPENING.STAFF GET READY FOR THE OPENING AMY HAS WORDS

Coventry: Charles Ager, the oldest shoe shop in Coventry. The children’s shoe section.12 of 19Share

Coventry: Charles Ager, the oldest shoe shop in Coventry. The children’s shoe section.

Owen Owen department store in Broadgate, Coventry. Circa 195613 of 19Share

Owen Owen department store in Broadgate, Coventry. Circa 1956

Gvs from the top of the Friargate development by Coventry Station.Ikea Coventry.24/11/1614 of 19Share

Gvs from the top of the Friargate development by Coventry Station.Ikea Coventry.24/11/16

Staff at Charles Ager shoe shop on Corporation Street have found a 1940’s shoe which had been damaged in the Blitz. Sue Atherton, operations manager for Charles Ager which is 150 years old will be having her photo taken with the shoe. They think it must have been transferred amongst other stock to the new premises when the shop was bombed in the Blitz. It;s been given to the Herbert Museum.15 of 19Share

Staff at Charles Ager shoe shop on Corporation Street have found a 1940’s shoe which had been damaged in the Blitz. Sue Atherton, operations manager for Charles Ager which is 150 years old will be having her photo taken with the shoe. They think it must have been transferred amongst other stock to the new premises when the shop was bombed in the Blitz. It;s been given to the Herbert Museum.

BHS store in Coventry’s Upper Precinct which has now closed16 of 19Share

BHS store in Coventry’s Upper Precinct which has now closed

Coventry: Charles Ager, the oldest shoe shop in Coventry.17 of 19Share

Coventry: Charles Ager, the oldest shoe shop in Coventry.

Charles Ager, Corporation Street, Coventry. Carol Smith (69) is retiring after almost 56 years of working at the family run shoe shop. L-R….colleagues Marian Brindley, Kelly Byrne, Carol Smith, Karen Garrett, Chris Hart (company director) and Sammy Moore.18 of 19Share

Charles Ager, Corporation Street, Coventry. Carol Smith (69) is retiring after almost 56 years of working at the family run shoe shop. L-R….colleagues Marian Brindley, Kelly Byrne, Carol Smith, Karen Garrett, Chris Hart (company director) and Sammy Moore.

General view of British Home Stores in Coventry City Centre19 of 19Share

General view of British Home Stores in Coventry City Centre

Nostalgia

Debenhams

Ikea

Coventry Shopping

Shopping

Coventry City Centre